Model-Based Inquiry in Earth and Space Sciences : Three-Dimensional Instructional Units for Grades 9-12

This book uses the model-based inquiry (MBI) framework to engage students in constructing and testing models to explain real-world phenomena. The guide presents four complete units with teacher and student materials to help you create meaningful learning experiences as your students strive to make sense of the world around them.

This book is your chance to shift the emphasis of your high school earth sciences curriculum toward the question “we need to figure out why or how things happen in the world.” Using the book’s model-based inquiry (MBI) framework lets you create meaningful learning experiences for your students as they strive to make sense of the world around them. Aligned with a framework for K–12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), the book’s curriculum integrates disciplinary core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and science and engineering practices. The goal is to engage earth sciences students in constructing, critiquing, revising, and testing models to explain real-world phenomena. Model-Based Inquiry in Earth and Space Sciences is divided into two parts: Section 1 introduces MBI and its four stages, including how to think about the role of teachers and students in MBI classrooms; Section 2 contains four complete MBI earth sciences units with both teacher and student materials. The units follow the same format and cover phenomena in four areas: Earth’s Place in the Universe, Earth’s Systems, Earth and Human Activities, and Climate Change. All give you the background, examples, and guidance to lead students to their final evidence-based explanations of actual, data-rich phenomenon that anchor each unit. The first section also includes the goals of each stage of MBI and examples of the types of discourse needed for sensemaking during the stage. Section two provides all of the information necessary for the teachers to enact the units, and all of the handouts necessary for the tasks. The authors are experts in model-based teaching and learning who tested each unit in actual classrooms to ensure the curriculum materials both align with standards and engage students in developing their understanding of the natural world. With Model-Based Inquiry in Earth and Space Sciences, you can avoid scavenging for materials and instead focus on engaging your high school students.